OILING SALES

Upscale items continue to be the growth segment in the category of oils and vinegars, retailers say, at least in some parts of the country.Sales in the balsamic-vinegar category increased 5% in 1999 to $31.5 million, according to panel data from ACNielsen, Schaumburg, Ill., while olive-oil sales increased only 0.7%, accounting for $335 million in sales. According to Dick Sullivan, president of the

Upscale items continue to be the growth segment in the category of oils and vinegars, retailers say, at least in some parts of the country.

Sales in the balsamic-vinegar category increased 5% in 1999 to $31.5 million, according to panel data from ACNielsen, Schaumburg, Ill., while olive-oil sales increased only 0.7%, accounting for $335 million in sales. According to Dick Sullivan, president of the North American Olive Oil Association, Matawan, N.J., olive oil, which has a household p